Raising Pigs

Raising pigs is very rewarding in many different ways.You can even train them like a dog or cat if you choose.

They were brought to southeastern North America from Europe by De Soto and other early Spanish explorers,where escapees became feral and became freely used by Native Americans as food.

While they are raised mostly for meat, their skin is used as a source of leather. Their bristly hairs are also traditionally used for brushes.They,like humans,are omnivores, making them easy to raise: on a small farm or in a large household they can be fed kitchen scraps as part or all of their diet.

They are the only mammal not to have sweat glands.Thus they must have access to water or mud to cool themselves during hot weather.

The words "swine," "hogs," and "pigs" refer to animals of the porcine family or pig family.

The term swine can also refer to the pig family in a general way, and "pig" can be used in referencing young animals.

"Hog" will generally refer to animals at or nearing market weight or finished for market.

The term "barrow" means a neutered male, and "gilt" means a young female. Pigs are also referred to as growing pigs (40 - 125 pounds), and finishing pigs, weighing from 125 pounds to market weight--usually about 230 pounds.

Raising Pigs here at Back to Basics are dressed off at 230 to 250 lbs.When we have piglets,their sold for $40.00 to $45.00 each.

Healthy Pigs

Healthy hogs are active and alert with bright looks in their eyes.When raising pigs,look for clues as to their health.

A hog will give you many clues when it isn't feeling well. some of the clues are poor appetite, gauntness, rough hair coat, a dull look in the eyes, excessive coughing, diarrhea, inactivity and lameness.

If you think a hog is sick, take its rectal temperature. If it is 2 degrees or more above normal, call a veterinarian immediately.

A common problem with hog is stress. Hauling, vaccinating, introducing it to strange surroundings and strange hogs can scare or stress a hog. When a hog is stressed, it will be more susceptible to sickness. It may eat less feed and grow slower. It is important to minimize stress, especially when you first get your hog home.Raising pigs is not difficult.

Some common diseases are pneumonia, pseudo rabies (mad itch), and swine dysentery. Swine can also have external parasites, such as lice and mange mites, and internal parasites which live inside the hog's body. If your pig looks or acts sick, call a veterinarian immediately. There are many medications that are very effective in treating swine ailments, but you have to start early in the illness.

Just below you will find a link that will bring you to a page for all sorts of medications not only for swine, but all of your livestock. Here at Back to Basics we use this company and found them to be great!

As mentioned threw out this site I will continue to share our experiences with you as I get all the stuff together. The slaughter of the homestead livestock will be on another page. In the near future I will be putting it all on video. To return to home page. Raising Pigs

Everyone Needs Reading Material for Reference

These magazines are very important to me, in fact I picked up some plastic magazine holders at the local Wal-mart I labeled one mother earth news and the other grit. I keep every issue for reference.Along with my books I've accumulated.

More About Pig Breeds Below

Pig Breeds

Do You Have A Tip or Story to Share?

We welcome your tips and your stories.Please feel free to share with others. You can even ask questions.

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Some of My Very Special Links Hope You Enjoy!

Love animals? Any animals? Here is the poster for you.

Posters


Here you can check out music,electronics,computers, plus so much more,just do a search. Enjoy!

Here Is A Way To Shop And Save Money. Great for Gift Buying